Sporting event game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus for use in conjunction with a sporting event is provided which allows players of the game to predict the outcome of actions that occur during the sporting event, and which allows the players to keep track of who has made the greater number of correct predictions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a game apparatus for use in conjunction with a sporting event, and more particularly but not exclusively to a game board configured to permit players of the game apparatus to predict actions that may occur during the sporting event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As any fan knows much of the excitement of watching a sporting event comes from the suspense of not knowing the outcome of the game or the various plays that occur during the game. Invariably fans find themselves forming expectations about what a team or player may do next or should do next. Indeed, fans often pride themselves on knowing the sport well enough to be able to predict what will be done. Consequently, there is a great appeal to individuals viewing sporting events to be able to record their predictions of actions during a sporting event and to receive recognition for making correct predictions. Thus, there is a need in the field of game equipment for a game apparatus that allows spectators to record predictions of actions that may occur during a sporting event and that recognizes the spectator who makes the greatest number of correct predictions as the winner of the game apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a game apparatus for use in conjunction with a sporting event which allows players of the game to predict the outcome of actions (e.g., plays) that occur during the sporting event and which allows the players to keep track of who has made the greater number of correct predictions. In this regard, the game apparatus may include a game board which includes a first outcome indicator disposed on the game board. The first outcome indicator may include indicia relating to two or more possible actions that may be performed by a first side (e.g., a team) participating in the sporting event. In addition, the first outcome indicator may be configured to permit a player of the game apparatus to select a possible action to record the player's prediction of a future action of the first side in the sporting event. For example, the indicia of the first outcome indicator may comprise plays that may be made by a member of the first side participating in a sporting event. Thus, the player of the game apparatus may select and predict a possible upcoming action by the first side in the sporting event. For instance, the sporting event may comprise baseball and the plays may include one or more of a single, double, triple, bunt, ground out, popout, line out, field out, home run, walk, and strike out.

In a similar manner, a second outcome indicator may be disposed on the game board having indicia relating to two or more possible actions that may be performed by a second side opposing the first side and participating in the sporting event. The second outcome indicator may be configured to permit the player of the game apparatus to select a possible action to record the player's prediction of a future action of the second side in the sporting event. For example, the indicia of the second outcome indicator may comprise the identities of two or more specific members of the second side participating in the sporting event to permit the player of the game apparatus to select and predict the member of the second side who will respond to the upcoming action of the first side. By way of example, the identities of the specific members may include one or more of a catcher, pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, right fielder, centerfielder, and left fielder. In order to keep track of the players' scores, the gaming apparatus may include a scoring indicator disposed on the game board configured to record the score of the players of the game apparatus.

In one of its exemplary configurations, one or more of the first and second outcome indicators of the game apparatus may comprise a slot and a marker slidably disposed in the slot so that the marker may be moved within the slot to point to one of the indicia associated with the respective first and second outcome indicators. Alternatively, in another reconfiguration, one or more of the first and second outcome indicators may comprise a marker configured to be magnetically attached to the game board so that the marker may be positioned on the game board to point to one of the indicia associated with the respective first and second outcome indicators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary configuration of an upper playing surface of a game board in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary configuration of a lower surface of the game board of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures, wherein like elements are numbered alike throughout, FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an exemplary configuration of a game apparatus, generally designated 100, in accordance with the present invention. The game apparatus 100 permits two players who are viewing a sporting event to record predictions regarding an upcoming play in the sporting event and to record the players' scores where points are awarded for making correct predictions.

In this regard, for example, the game apparatus 100 may comprise a game board 50 having an upper gaming surface 10 (FIG. 1) and a lower surface 80 (FIG. 2). The upper surface 10 of the game board 50 may include two substantially identical sections 12, 14 disposed side-by-side for use by each player of the game for recording their respective predictions and scores. For instance, the upper surface 10 may have a first player section 12 on the left and a second player section 14 on the right, though other configurations and layouts are possible in keeping with the function of the game apparatus 100 to permit players to record their predictions. In particular, to illustrate the present invention, the exemplary game apparatus 100 depicted in the figures is configured to permit players to make predictions of events that occur during a baseball game. Accordingly, the terminology depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is specific to that of a baseball game; however, game apparatuses of the present invention are not limited to baseball, but in keeping with the disclosure provided herein may be configured to be usable with any sporting event for which predictions can be made by spectators viewing the sporting event. As will be appreciated the game apparatus 100 of the present invention may be used at the venue of a sporting event or at a remote location where the game may be viewed, live or recorded, on a television or listened to on a radio.

Turning then to the structures of the game board 50 for recording predictions, the upper playing surface 10 may include a first outcome indicator 20 for recording actions that may be performed by a first side participating in the sporting event. For example, for a baseball game, the first outcome indicator 20 may relate to an upcoming play for the team at bat. The fist outcome indicator 20 may include indicia 22 listing two or more possible actions that may be performed by the first side in the sporting event. The indicia 22 may include a listing of possible plays, such as single, double, triple, bunt, ground out, popout, line out, field out, home run, walk, and strike out, in keeping with the baseball game example. The first outcome indicator 20 may be configured to permit the player of the game apparatus 100 to record a selection from the list of indicia 22 to render a prediction of a future action of the first side in a sporting event. In this regard, the first outcome indicator 20 may comprise a slot 24 disposed alongside the indicia 22 with a particular region of the slot 24 corresponding to a respective action listed in the indicia 22. A marker 26 may be provided in the slot 24 and may be configured to slide within the slot 24 so that the marker 26 may be positioned proximate a particular item in the list of indicia 22 to record a prediction by the first player of an upcoming play in a sporting event. For example, as illustrated, the marker 26 may be positioned next to the word “double” indicating that the first player has predicted that the next play by the team at bat will be a “double.”

In addition, the upper playing surface 10 may also include a second outcome indicator 30 for recording actions that may be performed by the second side participating in a sporting event. Like the first outcome indicator 20, the second outcome indicator 30 may include indicia 32 listing two or more possible actions that may be performed by the second side participating in a sporting event. In particular, the “action” of the second side may be indicated in shorthand notation by the identity of the player on the second side that responds to the upcoming play of the first side. For instance, in the baseball context, the “action” of the second side to be predicted may in fact be denoted by the name of the fielder on the second team who will first catch or otherwise retrieve the baseball. That is, the indicia 32 may include a listing of possible fielders, such as catcher, pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, right fielder, centerfielder, and left fielder.

The second outcome indicator 30 may be configured to permit the player of the game apparatus 100 to record a selection from the list of indicia 32 to render a prediction of a future action of the second side in the sporting event. Like the first outcome indicator 20, the second outcome indicator 30 may comprise a slot 34 disposed alongside the indicia 32 with a particular region of the slot 34 corresponding to a respective item listed in the indicia 32. A marker 36 may also be provided in the slot 34 and may be configured to slide within the slot 34 in a manner similar to that of the marker 26. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a player of the game apparatus 100 may slide the marker 36 to a position near the words “2nd base” to indicate that the second baseman will catch or otherwise be the first person on the second team to retrieve the baseball. As already mentioned, the second player section 14 of the game board 50 may be substantially identical to that of the first player, and thus comprises analogous structures to the first and second outcome indicators 20, 30 to permit the second player of the game to record their predictions regarding the upcoming actions of the first and second sides of the sporting event.

Once the predictions have been made by each player of the game apparatus 100 and the next play has been made in the sporting event to which the predictions pertain, points may be attributed to each of the players in accordance with the accuracy of their recorded predictions. In this regard, the game board 50 may include a scoring indicator 40 to record the score. As with the outcome indicators 20, 30, the scoring indicator 40 may be provided in the form of a slot 44 with a marker 46 slidably disposed therein. As points are accumulated, the marker 46 is moved along the slot to be positioned proximate the numerical value that indicates the current score of the player of the game apparatus. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, the second surface 80 of the game apparatus 100 may include both simplified instructions for playing the game as well as point values for correct predictions. Specifically, by way of example, players of the game apparatus 100 may receive one point for calling the play correctly (i.e., making a correct prediction on the first outcome indicator 20) and may receive one point for predicting the fielder correctly (i.e., making a correct prediction on the second outcome indicator 30). Additionally, bonus points may be awarded such as two points for predicting a home run correctly, or a three-point bonus for correctly naming both the play and the fielder. A winner may be declared when a set number of points are reached, for example 10 points, or a winner may be declared as the person having the most number of points by the end of the sporting event. Naturally, other scoring variations are possible for use with the game apparatus 100 in accordance with the present invention. For example, a scoring system may be implemented in which negative points are awarded for incorrect predictions.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. For example, while the outcome indicators 20, 30 have been illustrated as slots with slidable markers disposed therein, other structures may also be used such as dials, magnets, or other suitable structures. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims. 

1. A game apparatus for use in conjunction with a sporting event, comprising: a game board; a first outcome indicator disposed on the game board having indicia relating to two or more possible actions that may be performed by a first side participating in the sporting event, the first outcome indicator configured to permit a player of the game apparatus to select a possible action to record the player's prediction of a future action of the first side in the sporting event; and a second outcome indicator disposed on the game board having indicia relating to two or more possible actions that may be performed by a second side opposing the first side and participating in the sporting event, the second outcome indicator configured to permit the player of the game apparatus to select a possible action to record the player's prediction of a future action of the second side in the sporting event.
 2. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a scoring indicator disposed on the game board configured to record the score of the player of the game apparatus.
 3. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicia of the first outcome indicator comprise plays that may be made by a member of the first side participating in the sporting event to permit the player of the game apparatus to select and predict a possible upcoming play by the first side in the sporting event.
 4. The gaming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sporting event comprises baseball and the plays include one or more of a single, double, triple, bunt, ground out, popout, line out, field out, home run, walk, and strike out.
 5. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicia of the second outcome indicator comprise the identities of one or more specific members of the second side participating in the sporting event to permit the player of the game apparatus to select and predict the member of the second side who will respond to the upcoming action of the first side.
 6. The gaming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sporting event comprises baseball and the identities of the specific members include one or more of a catcher, pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, right fielder, centerfielder, and left fielder.
 7. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first and second outcome indicators comprise a slot and a marker slidably disposed in the slot so that the marker may be moved within the slot to point to one of the indicia associated with the respective first and second outcome indicators.
 8. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first and second outcome indicators comprises a marker configured to be magnetically attached to the game board so that the marker may be positioned on the game board to point to one of the indicia associated with the respective first and second outcome indicators. 